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Megathread: Spaced Repetition

A collection of spaced repetition resources and information.

spaced-repetition note-taking learning


Introduction

Overview

Spaced repetition is a memory system which requires the user to recall specific detail relating to a ‘card’ from memory multiple times, with an increasing space between study times. Typically, cards consist of a question/answer pair written by the user after learning something. When reviewing these cards, the user is prompted to provide an answer and, after doing so, flips the card to reveal the answer. If correct, the user moves on to the next card and the review interval increases. If incorrect, the cards is shuffled back into the deck and the review interval decreases. Spaced repetition is an extremely efficient way to recall information, as it requires only marginally more time spent than reading something for the first and only time.

Spaced repetition cards can be paper or software-based. Most people use software to schedule the reviews efficiently, and the majority of this page will focus on this approach.

Limitations

Fernando Borretti identifies two 'limiting factors' which may explain why spaced repetition is not used by more people, despite it's clear benefits:

  1. Habit Formation: Habit formation is difficult, and the nature of the scheduling algorithm means that reviews pile up if not reviewed almost daily. This can be discouraging and can deter many new users.
  2. Card-Writing Skills: Writing effective flashcards is a difficult skill and it takes trial-and-error before you can write cards which actually assist in recall. The prompt writing section of this page aims to assist with this limitation.

Principles

Capturing Ideas

Content consumption (aside from that consumed purely for leisure) should be approached with the intention of writing cards to extent one's own understanding. Articles, videos, and other media can all be leveraged for this purpose and, in fact, this mindset of looking to quantify learnings makes you much more likely to take away useful information, even if you are unable to capture cards in the process.

Too many types of note-taking are wasted effort because they are not designed around a medium which encourages reviews. If you do take notes on topics you're reading up on, be sure to take the time to convert this information into flash cards, to ensure the information is processed and able to be recalled in the future.

Prompt Writing

Andy Matuschak identifies the following principles for prompt writing:

  • Retrieval practice prompts should be focused.
  • Retrieval practice prompts should be precise about what they’re asking for.
  • Retrieval practice prompts should produce consistent answers, lighting the same bulbs each time you perform the task.
  • Retrieval practice prompts should be effortful.

Reviewing

  • Wikipedia, Varied practice: Organise your decks such that when you sit down and review them, you're answering questions across a range of domains (e.g. geography, history, mathematics) - this allows you to make more connections between cards and keeps reviews more interesting.
  • Reviewing your cards is an excellent opporunity to flag and/or re-write imprecise or incorrect cards. Constantly be on the look-out to improve them to align with the principles outlines in the prompt writing section of this page.
  • Delete or suspend any cards you are no longer interested in anymore.

Software

Anki

Client

Anki is one of the most popular spaced repetition software applications and is open-source, except for the iOS app. It is highly customisable and has the largest number of shared decks and add-ons.

Documentation

Shared Decks

Mochi

Mochi is a free, cross-platform app with an option to upgrade to a Pro plan for additional features. Features a minimalist design.

Additional Resources